(August 11, 2014) The Social Action Commission of the AME Church has been in communication with the AME Churches in the St. Louis area who are working collaboratively with the NAACP, United Methodist Church and other community stakeholders to obtain a fair and impartial review of the circumstances around the shooting and death of Michael "Mike" Brown. "The quick response of the pastors and laity in our St. Louis area churches, is evidence that we take seriously our legacy of speaking truth to power and being a champion for those whose voices are not being heard," says Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, presiding bishop over the 5th Episcopal District which includes the Ferguson, Mo. area.
The Social Action Commission is also encouraged by the statement of US Attorney General Eric Holder (see below) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2014)STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER ON RECENT SHOOTING INCIDENT IN FERGUSON, MISSOURI

WASHINGTON— Attorney General Eric Holder released the following statement Monday regarding the shooting incident that took place Saturday afternoon in Ferguson, Missouri: “The shooting incident in Ferguson, Missouri, this weekend deserves a fulsome review. In addition to the local investigation already underway, FBI agents from the St. Louis field office, working together with attorneys from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office, have opened a concurrent, federal inquiry. The federal investigation will supplement, rather than supplant, the inquiry by local authorities. At every step, we will work with the local investigators, who should be prepared to complete a thorough, fair investigation in their own right. I will continue to receive regular updates on this matter in the coming days. Aggressively pursuing investigations such as this is critical for preserving trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.” ### 14-844

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Presiding Elders Brenda Hayes and Edmund Lowe commit that, "We, the Missouri Conference of the AME Church concur and agree with the FBI involvement in the investigation of this incident. We will continue to be engaged and peacefully vigilant until justice is done". Pastor Spencer Booker of St Paul AME Church in St Louis issued a plea on behalf of the Brown family, "We encourage any witness or anyone with information to refuse to be intimidated by coming forward to shed light of this tragic incident".

"As designated by the AME Church, the Social Action Commission stands ready to undergird our AME Churches in the St Louis and vicinity area as they advocate for justice," concludes Bishop Reginald T Jackson, Commission Chair.